Does the technical name of different component of a computer, such as RAM, processor, scares you off?
In this article, we will be covering most of the hardware in regardless of the form size (physical size of the computer casing)
Essential Computer Hardware consists of
Mainboard
CPU
RAM
Hard Disk Drive
Graphic Card
Power Supply / Casing
Keyboard / Mouse
<p>Monitor
DVD Writer
Mainboard (Motherboard)
This is the biggest piece of hardware in the system. This is where various other essential components connect onto it, such as CPU, Ram, Hard Disk drive, etc, to it. Modern mid-range mainboard usually comes with add-on component such LAN port, sound card and graphics card.
As other hardware connects to the mainboard, it is important to ensure that the mainboard purchased is of high caliber and has at least the add-on component as stated in the paragraph above.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
This is one of the computer hardware that determines the speed of the whole system. The other determining hardware are the RAM and Hard Disk Drive. Single Core CPUs are almost obsolete and are much slower compared to their Dual Core / Quad Core counterparts.
Usually a numeric figure is stated and that is the clock frequency, commonly known as the speed of the CPU. Usually the higher the clock frequency, the faster your data can be processed.
Ram
Known as Random Access Memory, are memory chips where data are temporary stored. By storing the data on RAMs, the CPU is able to process the data in a shorter period which leads faster execution of the instructions and tasks assigned to the computer.
Usually a numeric figure (in Gb) is stated and that is the physical size of data the RAM is able to store.
Hard Disk Drive
This computer hardware keeps all data permanently, unlike the RAM which will erase data if the computer is shut down. Comes in sizes of 2.5″ (for laptop) and 3.5″ (for Desktop)
Usually a numeric figure (in Gb) is stated and comes in various capacity.
A rough calculation
Assuming a 4 min long music song is stored in mp3 format and takes up 4mb worth of space in the hard disk. 160Gb will be able to store around 40,000 songs!
Graphic Card
As stated, this card is initially responsible for displaying images onto the monitor. However, due to the high rendering first-person-shooter games being produced, gamers will demand their graphics card to be better than the CPU. This is due to the fact that the graphic card will handle all taxing gaming images which the CPU was unable to process. To meet up the demands, even graphics cards are going dual core!
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
The life of the computer! This computer hardware sends power to various devices, such as the mainboard, hard disk drives, etc.
This is often the most overlooked hardware and is frequently compromised due to budget constraints. However, by cutting down on getting a good PSU, risks such as electric shock and under-current may occurs which could instantly destroy the mainboard and other hardware by providing the wrong current or voltage!!
Computer Casing / Chasis
Computer case is the tough armor to protect the dedicated various computer hardware.
Casing are important as they ventilate and regulate air flow to prevent overheating of the essential computer hardware.
Optical Drives
Commonly known as CD-ROM / DVD-ROM or DVD Writers, this allows reading of various CDs/DVDs. ROM hardware are only able to read from CD / DVD, while DVD Writers enables writing (copying of data) to the discs.
The latest technology for Optical Drive is currently Blu-Ray ROM will allows reading of Blu-ray disc. Due to the high cost, it is not widely included in systems.
Monitor
Is a visual display unit that shows images generated by the graphic card. CRT monitors that are working today are using older technology which consumes more power. Mainstream monitor manufactured are now mostly LCD due to their compact size and cheaper cost to manufacture.
LCD monitors come in various sizes, ranging from a minimum of 15″ to up to 70″!
Keyboard and Mouse
Is the hardware to input data and commands into the computer.
I hope that the above computer guide will assist you in having a further understanding of computer hardware.
For more information about computer, do visit S-Mall Computer Article Section.
If you are purchasing computers in Singapore, do drop by our website http://www.s-mall.com.sg
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Watch the video related to computer hardware
To assemble a computer, install the motherboard, screw in the power supply, put in the drives, mount a hard drive, and add any graphics or sound cards. Make sure each piece of a computer is lined up correctly and screwed in properly with help from a computer specialist in this free video on computer hardware.
Help answer the question about computer hardware
Computer Hardware?Hi , i am an doing an IT course .. and at the moment doing Computer Hardware, i am getting a little lost in it but also very interested in it ..
I realise there is heaps of info online but would really love a book to sit on the lounge and read and keep as a reference ..
does anyone know of such a book …
explaining all about the CPU, different system requirements, about MHZ etc
thanks in advance .
About these parts and what they mean:
CPU's – Intel and AMD, Dual and Quad Cores
RAM – Speed or Quantity when on a budget?
PSU – Very important, overlooked quite often
Graphics – Onboard vs Card, nVidia and AMD, SLi and Crossfire
Cooling – water and fan, ideal temperatures
Prebuilt and building your own, pros and cons
Hard drives, capacity, RPM, interface
Blu-ray and DVD
Sound cards – onboard vs card
Well, you can build your own computer on dell.com.
Hardware Overview:
Processor (CPU): Handles what the computer does, from typing to memory handling. Each processor has a rating. You can easily identify a rating by the Ghz at the end of it.
Good Processor: 2.0Ghz Intel
Better Processor: 2.5Ghz Intel or AMD
Best Processor: 3.0Ghz AMD
RAM (Memory): Keeps images, and other files in "memory" to speed up programs. If you don't have a lot of this, things run slow.
Good amount of ram: 2GB
Better amount of ram: 4GB
Best amount of ram: 6GB
Hard Drive (Capacity): Stores files (pictures, music, games etc) permanently until deleted.
Good Hard Drive Space: 200GB
Better Hard Drive Space: 320GB
Best Hard Drive Space: 500GB
Graphics Card (GPU): Renders graphics that usually require DirectX or OpenGL. Most games.
Good Graphics Card: Intel Media Graphics Accelerator
Better Graphics Card: ATI brand (any model number above 3000)
Best Graphics Card: NVIDIA brand (any model number above 6150)
http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/reports/article.php/3580681
Happy computing
well im 16 im currently in a local summer class about pc and stuff :> yay! me
now were all about reformatting
Learning about PC is freaking cool! 100 times better than the f*cking school
If we get interested about something, we learn it fast!
awsome man..cant wait to see the rest of the lessons!!
thank you
thank you petarr
if you are windows user try to http://www.microsoft.com/support
im new to computer’s, it’s so complicated.
Hey tamethebea Win 7 is just like vista. It is vista but better faster and looks a little bit different not much but little.. You mean 8 gb to install?
it requires 16 GB on 32 bit computers and 20 GB on 64 bit computers.
Thank you
you can email me all your ?'s or on yahoo IM am a avid builder
4gb will do just fine
ddr3 is recomended…
http://www.tomshardware.com
even though you are wanting to learn at home, and this is the homeschool category, I would still suggest you try the computer category. Most of the people in this category talk about teaching k-12 at home.
What type of computer one should buy depends totally upon why you want to use the computers.
I think computer users want computers to use computers at home for one of the following. This is a really broad classification:
1. Just check the email and surf the internet.
2. Edit videos and digital photographs.
3. Watch videos (online / offline) on the computer and watch live TV on the computers.
4. Play high graphics quality video games.
Based on your question, I think you need a computer for 1-2 above. With the rapid changes in the computer technology which could potentially render the latest hardware obsolete in less than a year, I think one should always buy some thing that satisfies your basic requirements and have room for some additional processing/computing power so that you can use it in future case you want to do a few extra things with it.
So based on this, I'd suggest the following:
1. 1.7GHz to 2.2GHz minimum processor speed.
2a. 512MB RAM minimum or 1GB RAM preferred if you want to use Windows XP.
2b. 1GB RAM minimum or 2GB RAM preferred for Windows Vista.
3. 80GB hard drive.
4. Embedded sound card, network slot (to connect to internet using DSL or "broadband"). You may also need a modem if you want to connect to the internet using a dialup connection.
5. DVD ROM drives are now default on computers. You may want to upgrade to dual layer DVD-RW drive ONLY if you are planning to edit videos.
6. At least 2 USB ports.
If you are planning to run Windows XP, make sure the computer itself of individual hardware components are XP certified. If you plan on running Vista, make sure the hardware components are Vista compatible/certified.
It’s now how it works, it doesn’t just double everytime..
e.g. http://www.pcmag.com/
e.g. http://www.pcworld.com/
Nice Vid,
Thanks Man!